Page 89 of Fix Them Up
Why wasn’t this stressful?
I glanced at Liam. He seemed relaxed, his frown lines gone as he rubbed his thumb across my forefinger, leading me through the market. As soon as we arrived, Abigail ran off to see her friends, and Liam slipped his hand into mine, his eyes asking if it was okay. I squeezed back. It should have felt weird. I didn’t hold hands with anyone. I’d never got close enough to a relationship to let handholding happen. But I didn’t feel that usual suffocating panic. It felt normal, natural to feel Liam’s hand in mine.
I stopped to admire a jewellery stand, my hands drifting to a necklace featuring a dainty gold bee on a thin chain. I thought it might be a nice memento to take with me once the house was done. Did I want a necklace to remember this time? I wasn’t sure if I’d look back with fondness or grief.
I imagined I would reflect on my time with Liam as a lovely, distant memory, and the thought made me feel sick.
‘That’s pretty,’ Liam said, and I glanced up at him.
‘It is,’ I admitted. I looked at the price. It was almost two hundred pounds. I put the necklace down.
‘Come on, let’s go.’
I pulled Liam’s hand, dragging him into the crowds, away from my morose thoughts. I wanted to stay in the moment and enjoy myself.
Liam squeezed my hand. ‘I’ve got something I want to show you.’
‘Okay.’
We made our way through the crowds. Liam pulled me down a side alley off the main high street. It was quiet.
‘This is it. This is where you’re going to kill me.’
He laughed. ‘You think I would have waited until now?’
He led us to the door of what looked like an abandoned cafe. Liam rooted around in his pockets, producing a key, and opened it.
‘Why do I feel like we’re breaking the law?’ I whispered.
‘It’s fine. I know the owner.’
‘Of course you do. Everyone knows everyone here.’
Liam flipped the lights on. There were abandoned tables and chairs. The lights were flickering slightly. We could still hear children and the band playing.
‘Where are we?’ I frowned. Liam was walking around slowly, like a bomb could detonate at any point.
This place was important. His shoulders were tense, his brow slightly furrowed.
‘Oh.’ The penny dropped. ‘Was this the place? The restaurant? The one you were supposed to open with Ren.’
Liam nodded quietly.
‘Well, it needs some work,’ I joked, ‘but I’m sure you would have made it amazing. It’s got great bones.’
‘What would you do?’
‘Oh –’ I hesitated. ‘I’ve never thought about restaurant design before.’ A lie. I totally had. In fact, when he mentioned it at Heath Antiques, I’d already started planning it in my head.
Liam made a ‘go on’ gesture with his hand.
‘Well, some fitted booth seating would work along this wall. Making best use of the space.’ I glanced at Liam; he was nodding. ‘And also increase covers. I would add some light wood tables and chairs, nothing too heavy because it’s on the darker side in here.’ I walked towards the beautiful bay windows. ‘And definitely get some of those cute half curtains.’ I smiled, excited about the prospect of a new project, even if it wasn’t mine. ‘And I bet you could get some eclectic art prints on the walls, something froma local artist. Maybe someone here at the market, actually. I think I remember walking past an artist with some interesting pieces. We should go –’
Liam was quiet. I’d been planning out a dream that he had forfeited.
I slapped my forehead. ‘I’m sorry. I’m getting carried away.’
I walked up to Liam, giving in to the urge to touch him. I touched his hand, and his eyes glanced down at our hands clasped together. But when I glanced up, I didn’t see Liam’s face full of regret.
